Mayans, Incas and Aztec Civilizations The Mayan, Inca, and Aztec civilizations each originated from Latin America. The Mayans lived in southern and central Mexico, other Mayans lived in Central America in the present day countries of Belize, Guatemala, and ancient Honduras. The Incas lived along the long coastal strip, and in the high peaks and deep fertile valleys of the Andes Mountains, and along the edges of the tropical forest to the east; this would be the country of Peru, Ecuador, Chile, Bolivia, and Argentina in present days. The Aztecs were from Aztlan located in both north and northwest Mexico. These civilizations were possible because the people in the areas became sedentary and agricultural. They were able to do this because of the vast natural resources and climates of where they lived. Their cultures were for the most part male dominated, possessions usually past through the male line from one male member to another male. Women would normally move to the males village when they got married. All three empires had some form of writing, the use of a calendar and math. They all had elaborate and highly decorated ceremonial architecture, including temple-pyramids, palaces and observatories, all built without metal tools. They had no metal tools, no draft animals, and very little use of the wheel. They did understand the use of the wheel but because of the geography where they lived they could use it very little. All three civilizations were warlike; because they were sedentary and could grow enough food for the people to eat they always had large populations, which gave them manpower for military expeditions. The Aztecs and Incas had military warehouses setup in different areas in case of war. They mainly used clubs and relied upon man-to-man conflict with no real tactics. If the Mayan commander was captured or killed they would just retreat until they appointed a new commander. They did not have a set militar...
